Belsay Hall lost to Pendle 3-4

[<<] [>>] by Ruth Dixon at Belsay Hall
31st May 2022 (GC - Murphy Shield)

Murphy Shield 31.5.22.

Belsay Hall Croquet Club vs Pendle and Craven Croquet Club

Belsay Hall ERIC NIXON 2
DAVID MILLENER 3
CHRIS WOOD 3
DEREK JOHNSON 4 (Capt)

Pendle PAUL DOWDALL 3
LIBBY DIXON 3
MIKE BRADBURY 6
KAREN BRAMFORTH 9

The Pendle team were greeted by our hosts in the Car Park of the English Heritage property of Belsay Hall after a 2 hour 40 min journey for half of the Pendle team ( 3 hours for the others). A warming cup of tea and good chatter commenced the day within some beautiful gardens and 2 croquet lawns. The first round of games commenced under ever darkening skies that delivered the threatening rain within a short period of time. This did not put off the players and the games collected a viewing gallery from the public visitors to the Hall.

The mornings play:
Doubles
Eric Nixon and David Millner vs Paul DOWDALL and Libby Dixon.
Pendle win 7/2, 7/4.
Singles
Chris Wood vs Karen Bamforth
Belsay Hall win 7/5,7/5
Derek Johnson vs Mike Bradbury
Belay Hall win 7/6,7/6

Our gracious and generous hosts provided a most extensive 2 course lunch and hot cups of tea and coffee . All of which was most appreciated to keep at bay the cold and damp.

The afternoon play:
Eric Nixon vs Paul Dowdall: 5/7,7/5,4/7. Pendle win.
David Millener vs Libby Dixon: 1/7,5/7 Pendle Win
Chris Wood vs Mike Bradbury: 0/7,5/7 Pendle Win
Derek Johnson vs Karen Bamforth: 7/5,7/5 Belsay Hall Win

The match was closely fought and came down to the final game between Eric and Paul as the match stood at 3 all. Paul won through to win the third game to give Pendle the overall win.

Outcome: Pendle win 4 over Belsay 3.

We look forward to playing at Belsay Hall again if the opportunity arises.